VET30100 Veterinary Anaesthesia

Academic Year 2021/2022

This module is a core course in clinical veterinary medicine. This course is designed to train veterinary students to apply their knowledge of pharmacology, physiology, internal medicine and surgery to carry out safe anaesthetic practices in many species of animals. Students will learn the theory behind the safe and effective use of modern anaesthetic drugs and techniques and anaesthetic equipment. They will also learn how to evaluate and correct systemic complications that arise during general anaesthesia and emergency situations.
The module consists of a series of inter-related lectures (pharmacology and clinical anaesthesia), practical classes and tutorials. These are usually given face-to-face. Lecture material is available via Brightspace.
Assessment: Continuous assessment via computer-based single-best answer MCQ at the conclusion of lectures and participation in practicals. End of year computer-based assessment of all material.
Remediation will be available at the end of Spring.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

A. Pharmacology: on successful completion of the module, students should be able to:
Demonstrate familiarity with the terminology relevant to drugs used in anaesthetic practice;
Describe the mechanisms of action of anaesthetic-related drugs, including their interaction with receptors;
Relate the chemical and physical properties of anaesthetic drugs to their pharmacological effects;
Outline the pharmacokinetics of anaesthetic-related drugs, with particular reference to the pathways of metabolism and excretion, and recognise the impact of common diseases on these processes;
Outline the pharmacodynamics of anaesthetic related drugs and identify potential adverse effects and signs of toxicity.
Students should be familiar with the composition of intravenous fluid solutions available for parenteral administration and compare their relative merits.
B. Safe anaesthetic practice: students should be able to formulate safe and suitable anaesthetic plans by: Relating and applying their knowledge of physiology and pharmacology to a variety of small and large animal veterinary patients;
Interpreting a patient's history, clinical examination and laboratory findings and evaluating their significance to the administration of anaesthesia.
Students should be able to recognise the reasons for an increased risk from general anaesthesia according to the species, breed, age and disease status of the patient to be anaesthetised.
They should be familiar with the signs and severity of pain in animals and be able to choose appropriate analgesic agents and procedures, including local anaesthetic techniques, and subsequently appraise their effectiveness.
C. Modern anaesthetic equipment: Identify the main components of anaesthetic machines and gas cylinders and describe their function;
Describe how to carry out a pre-use check on anaesthetic equipment;
Identify and describe anaesthetic breathing systems and be familiar with gas flows required for their safe use in a variety of species and conditions;
Describe the potential hazards of anaesthetic agents for humans and itemise how to effectively minimise these effects for personnel and clients;
Demonstrate an understanding of the usefulness of endotracheal intubation and modern monitoring equipment.
D. Systemic complications and emergency situations that arise during general anaesthesia. Students should be able to: Describe how to evaluate signs of increased and decreased anaesthetic depth and the methods available to effectively correct these;
Describe how to evaluate fluid and electrolyte imbalance which may develop peri-operatively;
Demonstrate an understanding of fluid requirements in a variety of clinical situations, their methods of administration and limitations;
Recognise the indications for positive pressure ventilation and describe how it should be performed effectively; Recognise anaesthetic complications and emergencies and formulate appropriate therapeutic measures for correction of significant changes in heart and respiratory rate, blood pressure and temperature, including cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.

Indicative Module Content:

Pharmacology and clinical use of sedatives, analgesics, induction agents, maintenance agents and fluid therapy.
Use of breathing systems, anaesthetic machines, monitoring equipment and other ancillary equipment.
Hazards and complications associated with anaesthesia, including cardio-pulmonary arrest, and their treatment.
General anaesthesia of dogs, cats, horses, farm animals and rabbits.
Local anaesthesia techniques in dogs, cats and farm animals.
Choosing protocols for a variety of patients.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24

Tutorial

3

Practical

9

Autonomous Student Learning

76

Total

112

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
It is intended that lectures should be interactive, and questioning is encouraged.
Learning outcomes are clearly documented for each lecture.
Practical classes allow a hands-on experience with anaesthetic and related equipment.
Worksheets are used to ensure important material is captured by the student. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

All Stage 1 and Stage 2 core modules of the VET programme


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Pre-requisite:
VET30050 - Applied Therapies

Co-requisite:
VET30080 - Vet Clinical Neurology


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Attendance: Three practicals, each worth 5%. The practicals consist of a Brightspace quizz (to be completed prior to the practical) and a face-to-face component (mandatory attendance for full marks). Unspecified n/a Other No

15

Multiple Choice Questionnaire: Computer-based midterm exam. Grading scale: semi-linear based on 50% pass. Week 10 n/a Other No

25

Examination: Invigilated face-to-face written exam (subject to the prevailing public health guidance; there will be a contingency plan should this not be possible). Grading scale: semi-linear based on 50% pass. 1 hour End of Trimester Exam No Other No

60


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 1 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Veterinary Anaesthesia: Principles to Practice, 2nd Edition
Alexandra H. A. Dugdale, Georgina Beaumont, Carl Bradbrook, Matthew Gurney
Wiley-Blackwell 2020
Print book ISBN: 978-1-119-24677-0
e-Book ISBN: 978-1-119-24678-7

BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Anaesthesia and Analgesia, 3rd Edition
Edited by: Tanya Duke-Novakovski, Marieke de Vries and Chris Seymour
Publication Date: April 2016
Print book ISBN: 978-1-905319-61-9
e-Book ISBN: 978-1-910443-23-1

Canine and Feline Anesthesia and Co-Existing Disease
Edited by: Lindsey B. C. Snyder and Rebecca A. Johnson
Wiley-Blackwell 2014
Print book ISBN: 978-1-118-28820-7
e-Book ISBN: 978-1-118-39160-0

Handbook of Equine Anaesthesia, 2nd Edition
Polly Taylor and Kathy Clarke
Saunders Ltd. 2006
Print book ISBN: 9780702028359
e-Book ISBN: 9780702035142

Handbook of Small Animal Regional Anesthesia and Analgesia Techniques
Phillip Lerche, Turi Aarnes, Gwen Covey-Crump, and Fernando Martinez Taboada
Wiley-Blackwell 2016
Print book ISBN: 978-1-118-74182-5
e-Book ISBN: 978-1-118-74180-1

Calculations for Veterinary Nurses
Margaret C. Moore and Norman G. Palmer
Blackwell 2001
Print book ISBN:9780632054985
Online ISBN:9780470690444

Essential Calculations for Veterinary Nurses and Technicians, 3rd Edition
Joy Howell, Terry Lake, Margi Sirois and Nicola Green
Butterworth-Heinemann 2016
Print book ISBN: 9780702068072
e-Book ISBN: 9780702070778

Name Role
Dr Lynne Hughes Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Vilhelmiina Huuskonen Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Flavia Restitutti Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Joei Walsh Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Carla Coll Tutor
Assoc Professor Antonella Puggioni Tutor
Ms Michelle Purcell Tutor